Introduction
It is a city localizadaed in a region called since ancient times as Otulun rainforest, which is a Cholword meaning fortified house. Founded in 1567 by Fray Pedro Lorenzo de la Nada. Actually it is the economical center of the cattle raising northeast region and it is considered as a very important touristic spot in Chiapas due to it's world wide known archeological zone. This city is placed 60m above sea level with an approximated population of 85,464 habitants. In the year of 1784 the ruins were discovered and attracted a lot of traveller's attention such as Dupaix, Stephens, Charnay, Maudslay and Colmes. And by the XX century, studious as Seler, Blom, Fernandez, Berlin and Alberto Ruz Lhuiller gave new important studies, new discoveries and a very valuable restoration work. Actually the archeological site of Palenque is considered as Humanity Cultural Heritage.
Description
The actual restore of the central park gives a portrait in which stands out by its antique and
architecture, buildings such as the church of Santo Domingo and the Municipal Palace.
The area's cultural attraction is the world known archeological site.
The antique Mayan city of Palenque has a principal group of buildings such as the Temple of the
Inscriptions (which kept one of the most important king remains called Pakal the great), the
palace complex with it's observatory tower (unique in its gender) and the Grupo de las Cruces
(Crosses Group) formed by three worship temples in which they worshiped the cosmos everything
related with Mother Earth. Palenque is then the place where Mayan people reached their highest point
and where the Gods related with men to full fill their political, economical and religious power.
Archeological zone
Mayan city from the classic period known as one of the most spectacular over the world and which
singular architecture with armony and great beauty is sorounded by an overwhelming tropical
ainforest. Here is a list of the most outstanding temples which can be visited by everybody:
1. Templo de la Calavera (Skull Temple)
2. Tumba de la Reina Roja
(Red Queen Tomb)
3. Templo de las Inscripciones
(Inscriptions Temple)
4. El Palacio (The Palace)
5. El acueducto (The Aqueduct)
6. Grupo de las Cruces o del Sol
(Crosses Group or Sun Group)
7. El Templo de la Cruz (Cross Temple)
8. Templo del Sol (Sun Temple)
9. Juego de pelota (Ball Game Site)
10. Grupo Norte (North Group)
11. Templo del Bello Relieve
(Bass-relief Temple)
12. XVII Building
13. XIX Building
14. XX Building
15. XXI Building
16. XV Temple
17. XVI Group
18. Templo del Conde
(Count's Temple)
19. Grupo de los Murcielagos (Bats Group)
20. B and C Group
21. Site Museum
Museums
· Palenque's Site Museum ·
The best way to understand and comprehend more of the culture of an archeological site is looking
the history through the site museums placed near the archeological relics. In the sacred city of Palenque
is one of the most interesting museums of the country, placed in the main entrance, before crossing
the bridge from Otolum stream, it has a broad collection of archeological relics rescued from different
site restore projects, and also a craftsmanship store.
... You can't miss it!
We suggest the tourist looking forward the next recommendations for his trip:
· Through a special license with the site museum authorities, climb the Templo de las Inscripciones
(Inscriptions Temple) and descend to the interior of Pakal Tomb, you must consider that actually the
public access is restricted due to the risk the amount of visitants could represent.
· Visit the Reina Roja (Red Queen) tomb discovered in 1994
· Visit the new discoveries in XIX Temple where you can see a great throne and a pile with
stucco decorations related with Pakal's grandson
· The Site Museum which has over 300 original pieces
· A walk through the Eco-Archeological path starting at one side of the service units crossing
the Otolum stream; here we could appreciate the rainforest in all its magnificence aside of other
buildings which formed the habitation units from the ruling class.
Gastronomy
The visitor won't have any trouble to find a restaurant of his preference at Palenque city. It goes from regional, Mexican or international food. The typical meals offered here use a wide variety of scented herbs such as Hierba Santa (holy herb), known as Momo, the Chaya which in its natural state causes skin irritation is used in the elaboration of chaya soup or chaya tamales, with alligator fish, the cow guts or the traditional dessert Oreja de Mico (made from sweet papaya), all of them originally from this region. The most exigent tastes could find Italian, Chinese or Arabic food.
Craftsmanship
The local craftsmanship in Palenque is for excellence the lapidary in copies from the steles or thresholds from the archeological sites from Palenque or Yaxchilan, there are other varieties as the pyroengrave with mayan designs.
Night life
Entertainment doesn't stop with the visit of mayan culture relics or the natural beauties from the region, it continues through the night in jungle like places; here the tourist can drink a glass of wine wile listening to trove music or chat with friends inside a bar at the rhythm of salsa, reggae, etc. and the best of all is the easiness to move from one place to the other.
Weather
Moist and warm is the ruling weather of Palenque; the annual average temperature is 25°C and the coolest period goes from December to February with occasional drizzles so we recommend wearing tropical weather clothes (cotton).
Etnas
As this is the place settled as the ceremonial center by elder Mayan, in our days we can still see groups of descendants from this marvelous culture, as the Lacandones, offering their crafts at the entrance of the archeological zone and the Choles, distinguished by their peculiar clothes, specially Chole women wearing a skirt embroidered with color ribbons which identify the community they are from, with a white blouse and floral motives in the low-neck.
Lodging
For the tourist interested in the rainforest region of Chiapas, Palenque offers many options in lodging costs which go from $18 up to $190 dlls matching always the jungle natural beauty with a really pleasant stay.
Location
Located in the north of Chiapas, neighbor of Tabasco state. 203 km. Away from San Cristobal de Las Casas city.
How I get there?
In order to get to Palenque, leaving from San Cristobal de las Casas city tourists must take the Panamericana 190 highway up to the connection to Rancho Nuevo (New Ranch), from there continue through the left detour leading to Ocosingo in 199 highway which will lead directly to Palenque city. Estimated time 5 hours stopping at interesting places like Tonina, Agua Azul (Blue Water) and Misol-Ha waterfalls.
Attractions
Agua Azul waterfalls, Misol-Ha waterfalls, Agua Clara tourist center, Welib-Ha waterfalls, Las Golondrinas waterfalls, Bonampak archeological zone, Yaxchilan archeological zone, Lacanja-Chansayab Ecotourist Center and Miramar Lagoon.
Suggestions
Certain precautions should be taken if the road is the option, due to the fact that the highway is very crooked and the driving must be done at a moderated speed, in the other hand don't forget Palenque is in the middle of a rainforest zone so the appropriated clothes should be worn as well as insect repellant when visiting the archeological zones. If your into the swimming mood also be aware because even though Agua Azul and Misol-ha waterfalls seem calm places the flow can betray the swimmers specially in rain season. Follow authority's instructions to spend a fulfilling experience.
Near sites
Tonina archeologic zone and Catazaja lagoon.
Holydays
· International Mayan world
During Holy Week (March-April)
· Santo Domingo Fair
In city patron saint's honor, August first days.
Contact
If you need more information please contact the Tourist Local Office:
Palenque-Ocosingo highway km 0+600
Phone number: 01 (916) 345-0356
Secretaria de Turismo
(Tourism State Office)
National toll free number: 01 (800) 280-3500
